Robert Jenrick pledges to bring back Rwanda plan and 'tell hard truths' to the Tories

Robert Jenrick stormed a lead in the Tory leadership campaign this afternoon, with an energetic, notes-free speech in his hometown of Newark.

The former immigration minister took to the stage, surrounded by MP backers and introduced by former Minister for Common Sense Esther McVey.

Sir John Hayes MP was among those in Newark supporting Jenrick. Sir John had previously been Suella Braverman’s biggest backer.

Mr Jenrick promised to tell the Tories some “hard truths” about why they suffered their worst-ever electoral defeat - not least that the party broke its promise to the public to deliver controlled and reduced migration.

He emphasised his role as a truthspeaker, pointing to his Cabinet resignation last year: “Because I was not willing to be just another minister who makes and breaks promises on immigration”.

Mr Jenrick insisted that he is willing to be bold on policy, despite the risk of putting off Tory MPs, saying that while he wants the party to be a big tent, it must have common values.

The Tory hopeful also marked himself out by talking about the NHS, defence and housing, and not just in platitudes.

On the NHS, he conceded that the party had not done enough to reform the health service, because they were too fearful of being accused by Labour of wanting to privatise it.

He insisted that the Tories must “never treat the NHS like a religion instead of a public service” again.

Mr Jenrick also explained his transformation as a politician who believed the political system works, to one who now believes that the system is failing the public.

He said that his time at the Home Office led him to conclude that the whole system is “broken and letting the public down”.

In response to what he uncovered at the Home Office, and the department’s failure to address Britain’s border crisis, he reiterated his promise to leave the ECHR, said he would like to bring back Rwanda, and promised he would deport illegal migrants within days if PM, not put them up in luxury hotels.

While he promised he could win the next election, despite Labour’s enormous majority, he said the Tories have to change, “and change a lot”, otherwise it has no guaranteed future in British politics.

He promised: “If we do change. If we listen to the British people. If we show we understand we made mistakes and have learned from those mistakes. If we show we are united again, then we can win again.”

According to the Daily Express’ list of MP backers, Mr Jenrick is now ahead of all other candidates.

The betting markets also suggest he is now the odds-on favourite, overtaking Kemi Badenoch with many bookkeepers this week.

Asked by the Express whether his emphatic stance on both leaving the ECHR, and building houses, might put off prospective Tory MPs, Mr Jenrick insisted he is willing to tell the hard truths necessary to win back power.

“My campaign is based on telling hard truths, and I think that’s what the public are yearning for. They are sick of politicians who compromise at every turn, who just split the difference, who never get things done, who don’t take on the big challenges facing our country.

“So whether it is about stopping illegal immigration, stopping crime, building homes, investing in our defence… on each and every one of those issues, my campaign will ask the tough questions, will find the serious answers and show leadership to the country.”